The Ighani Family

On May 20 th , 2021 I received a phone call from a sweet and dear friend, Michelle Ighani.

As I said “hello”, I could already hear the tears and then the words any friend or family member dreads to hear, “Omeed has cancer…”.

Omeed and Michelle are new neighbors to the The Place, relocating from Connecticut just 7 months ago. They had always dreamt of moving to Estero with their family and made their dreams a reality this past December. They didn’t, however, think their dream could turn into a nightmare in just a short amount of time with this recent news about Omeed. Their family has already made an impact on our community with their joys smiles, sweet children, but most importantly their hearts. Always there to help and support a neighbor in need or simply just to check in.

You may have seen them with their 2 precious boys, ages 3 and 10 months, at the pool, restaurant, playground, and ALWAYS at our community fundraising events and holidays, and most importantly, when any of us have needed help!

Despite never being a smoker, Omeed was very unexpectedly diagnosed with State 4 Metastatic Lung Cancer in May of 2021 and has begun treatments (radiation and chemotherapy) at Moffitt in Tampa and Florida Cancer Specialists in Fort Myers.

He is courageous and ready to do whatever it takes to fight this battle, with his two boys as his most cherished inspirations. Omeed has a very long road ahead with many appointments, procedures, and treatments to fight this ugly disease. Michelle has just recently left her full-time job to relocate the family to Florida and care for the boys at home and is now caring for andcoordinating Omeed’s needs as well. Omeed continues to work and is fortunate to have an understanding job with flexibility, but also works as a commission only employee as he is in sales, and now the lone income of the household.

With that said, I ask that we please come together in healing prayer, but also to help this family who will soon need our supportive assistance with medical costs, travel for care, disruptions to work, and for all of the unexpected expenses that will come their way with new, scary journey they are facing.

I know what the power of prayer can do when we all come together and I also know the outpouring support this community has for one another. Let's lock arms and help however we can.

May God bless you all for all of the love and support.

Thank you,

On Behalf of the Ighani Family

Veronica Linette